Good point but you would think the NBA would want to proactively avoid any brand identity issues if they can.

I love the name and wish we would go through with it but just don't see it happening.

And I am entrenched on the 'Pelicans is really not that bad of a name' side. Everyname sounds relatively awkward when it first comes out. But give a couple of superstars and a winning record and the name will be an afterthought. The identity of the team will not be the mascot but the players on the team.

I know it has been mentioned before but the Thunder is the main precedent for this situation.